Caring for the most important people on earth is at the heart of everything we do at St. Ann’s Community. Protecting the health of our residents, staff and visitors is especially important now when colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses are most common. As St. Ann’s infection control nurse, this work is both my responsibility and something I genuinely care about. Seniors are among the most vulnerable to illness. Here is some practical advice, some obvious and some less so, to help you stay healthy this winter.
Know When You May Be Sick — One of the most important ways to stop the spread is to recognize when you may be contagious. If you have recently spent close or prolonged time near someone with a cold or the flu, symptoms can develop within about a week. A runny nose, cough or sore throat may be early signs that you are getting sick and could spread germs to others. If you experience new respiratory symptoms, wearing a mask and keeping your distance from others can help reduce the risk of transmission. When possible, the safest choice is to stay home and limit contact with others until you are feeling better.
Hand Hygiene: Simple but Essential — Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to prevent infection. In most situations, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the best way to clean your hands. If your hands are visibly soiled or you have been exposed to a gastrointestinal illness, washing with soap and water is the better choice.
When washing hands with soap and water:
• Wet hands with warm water
• Apply soap
• Rub all surfaces of hands and wrists for 15 to 20 seconds
• Rinse well
• Dry with a clean towel or paper towel
• Turn off the tap using the towel
Remember to regularly clean and disinfect faucet handles and commonly touched surfaces at your home.
When using alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
• Apply enough sanitizer to wet all surfaces of hands and wrists
• Rub hands until dry
It is most important to clean your hands after using the restroom, after being around someone who is sick, when hands are visibly soiled, and before eating or touching your face. If soap or hand sanitizer are not available, avoid touching your face until you can clean your hands properly.
Do Masks Make a Difference? — Masks are a simple and effective way to reduce the spread of respiratory illness. When you see someone wearing a mask, it is often because they have a weakened immune system or are caring for someone who does. In many cases, wearing a mask is a thoughtful way to protect others.
While masking became more common during COVID, medical masks have been used in healthcare for over 100 years. Masks are here to stay for one simple reason: They work. I encourage wearing a mask when you have mild cold symptoms and in crowded settings where exposure risk is higher.
If Illness Enters Your Home — If someone in your household becomes sick, creating a bit of distance can help reduce spread. Supporting your own immune system is also important. Staying up to date on vaccines, getting adequate sleep, eating well, and staying hydrated all help lower the risk of infection.
Protecting Our Elders — Caring for elders is at the core of St. Ann’s Community’s mission, and we take this responsibility very seriously. There are no exceptions when it comes to protecting those most vulnerable to illness. One fact many people do not realize is that germs transmitted by younger adults can lead to much more severe illnesses in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
I ask that you keep this in the back of your mind in your daily interactions. Staying home when you are sick and being mindful around elders are simple, thoughtful ways to show care for others.
How We Protect Our Community at St. Ann’s — At St. Ann’s Community, infection prevention is part of our daily care. We offer vaccines on-site to residents and staff, and our medical team regularly reviews each resident’s chart to ensure vaccines are up to date. We provide masks for staff, residents, visitors, and contractors to help maintain a safe environment for everyone on campus.
In my role as infection control nurse, I am always learning new and better ways to protect our staff, residents, and visitors. Keeping our community safe is an ongoing commitment, and we continue to strengthen our practices as new knowledge and tools become available.
My Key Message
A few final reminders:
• Get your flu and COVID vaccines annually, by Halloween is recommended
• It takes about two weeks for vaccine protection to build
• Respiratory illnesses tend to increase around Thanksgiving
• Prioritize rest, nutrition, and fluids
These simple steps go a long way in keeping not only yourself healthy but also protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.